Celina woman facing several counts of theft by deception

A Celina woman faces 10 counts of theft by deception after she allegedly altered checks written to her for services she received.

Elnora Levi, 70, 918 Sycamore St., pleaded not guilty during a recent appearance in Mercer County Common Pleas Court. She remains free on her own recognizance pending an April 9 pretrial hearing.

The charges allege she deprived the victim - described in court documents as an elderly woman - of $4,500 between Dec. 18 and Jan. 9. Levi reportedly altered the checks the woman wrote for such things as cleaning and other household services.

The altered checks ranged in amounts from $200 to $900 with 10 transactions spread over a span of 22 days. Four transactions totaling $2,600 occurred during the week of Jan. 2-9.
Eight of the charges are fifth-degree felonies while the two involving $900 checks are more serious fourth-degree felonies carrying the possibility of up to 18 months in prison and up to $5,000 in fines. Penalties for the lesser charges include up to 12 months in prison on each count and $2,500 fines.

Levi is represented by local attorneys Judy Koesters and George Moore.

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